STEP 1.

Look carefully at your amber, checking for any cracks or areas you want to avoid or cut away. Initially, you may want to plan a design that is fairly simple.

Rough out the shape you want and take out spots you don't want, such as surface cracks. Start with rough sandpaper (maybe 80-grit) or sanding discs, or large, round burs. Remember to have the amber and both hands well braced on the workbench for control. This is important for every step throughout this project.

STEP 2.

If you want your carving to be a pendant, there are several ways to go about it. You can set the completed carving into a pendant with a bezel (be careful when bending the bezel over it, as amber is soft and brittle) or you can hang it with a wrapped wire or prong technique. However, if you want to drill through the piece and string it, I recommend you do it early on in the piece - before you've put too much time and energy into the carving - in case the amber shatters during drilling. Since most amber is transparent or semi-transparent, the hole you drill, and the cord that goes through it, may be visible in your piece.